Join McHenry County Farm Stroll Sept. 27

Posted August 30, 2015 11:00 pm

McHenry County Farm Bureau

Twelve years ago, Al Van Maren started raising alpacas at Al'sPACAs at Dutch Mill Farm in Harvard. The 10-acre farm will be part of the first Farm Stroll Sunday, Sept. 27. Courtesy of Al Van Maren

On Sunday, Sept. 27, McHenry County will host its first Farm Stroll, a self-guided tour of the county's diversified family farms.

A total of 11 farms will be part of this educational agriculture-centric tour. Apple orchards, vegetable growers, Community Supported Agriculture providers, goats, chickens, turkeys, cows, horses, alpacas, a vineyard, sustainable agriculture, hydroponics and more will be featured within these 11 farms.

Because this is a family-friendly, free, self-guided tour, there is no beginning or end of the tour - just choose the type of farms that interest you - and visit during the designated time.

The inaugural Farm Stroll was organized by the McHenry County Farm Bureau and the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners.

Master Gardener volunteers will assist farm families in accommodating guests for farm-related demonstrations and tours. Some farms will host tours at set times (on the hour or half-hour).

There is no charge for the Farm Stroll, but several farms will be selling food, produce or other farm-related products. Bring cash to purchase items directly from the farmers.

Remember, these are working farms: Dress appropriately, preferably in layered, all-weather clothing and sturdy shoes.

Children of all ages are welcome, but they must be supervised at all times. No pets, please. Most facilities will not have toilet facilities.

For information, visit McHenry County Farm Bureau at mchenrycfb.org or Facebook at facebook.com/McHenryCountyFarmBureau or call (815) 338-1520.

The McHenry County Farm Bureau is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 850 farm families on local, state and national issues. An additional 8,500 associate (nonvoting) members support the Farm Bureau with their annual membership dues. McHenry County Farm Bureau provides members with legislative representation on trade, transportation, education, renewable fuels, land use, taxes and governmental regulation. Contact the McHenry County Farm Bureau at 1102 McConnell Road, P.O. Box 1530, Woodstock, IL 60098, phone (815) 338-1520 or visit mchenrycfb.org.

The McHenry County Master Gardeners are a group of more than 115 volunteers sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The mission of a Master Gardener is to share unbiased, reliable, research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners, as well as to encourage people to enjoy gardening and vegetable growing. Contact the McHenry County Master Gardeners at 1102 McConnell Road, Box 1430, Woodstock, IL 60098, phone 815-338-3737 or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mchenry.

Eleven farms will take part in the first suburban Farm Stroll, an educational agri-centric tour, on Sunday, Sept. 27. One of the stops will be Al'sPACAs at Dutch Mill Farm in Harvard. Courtesy of Al Van Maren

During the McHenry County's first Farm Stroll on Sunday, Sept. 27, stop by Al'sPACAs at Dutch Mill Farm in Harvard which raises alpacas to see and touch the fiber sheared from them and made into sweaters and socks. Courtesy of Al Van Maren

McHenry County Farm Stroll participants

• Patyk's Farm, 8519 Route 173, Richmond, IL 60033; (815) 648-4065 or <a href="http://patykfarms.com">patykfarms.com</a>

• Von Bergen's Acres, 9805 Route 173, Hebron, IL 60034; (815) 648-2332 or <a href="http://vonbergens.com">vonbergens.com</a>

• Harvard Eggs Feed and Produce, 17205 McGuire Road, Harvard, IL 60033; (815) 943 4837 or <a href="http://harvardeggsandfeed.com">harvardeggsandfeed.com</a>

• Cashmore's Produce and Ponics, 5116 Irish Lane, Harvard, IL 60033; (815) 814 6999

• AL'sPACAs at Dutch Mill Farm, 19860 Lembcke Road, Harvard, IL 60033; (815) 988-7937

• Nichols Farm and Orchard, 23918 River Road, Marengo, IL 60152; (815) 5091690 or <a href="http://nicholsfarm.com">nicholsfarm.com</a>

• RowShell Ridge Vineyard, 3350 Executive Drive, Marengo IL, 60152; (815) 210-0522

• Cherry Lane Farm, 18317 Garden Valley Road, Marengo, IL 60152; 30-655-0022

• Loyola University Chicago Retreat and Ecology Campus, 2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098; (815) 338 1032 or <a href="http://luc.edu/retreatcampus">luc.edu/retreatcampus</a>

• Cripple Creek Ranch, 23215 Graf Road, Harvard; (815) 943 4513 or <a href="http://ccrequinecenter.com">ccrequinecenter.com</a>

• Prairie Sky Orchard, 4914 N. Union Road, Union IL, 60180; (815) 923-4834 or <a href="http://prairieskyorchard.com">prairieskyorchard.com</a>.

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